Refining apparatus for hydrocarbons



Dec. 18, 1934. G. B. FINCH 1,985,083

REFINING APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBONS Filed April 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet i I N VEN TOR.

Galen B. Finch lax Z4? A TTORNEY.

Dec. 18, 1934. G. B. FINCH 1,985,083

REP INING APPARATUS FOR HYDROGARBONS Filed April 24, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 &. GD

INVENTOR.

Galen .5. Finch A T TORNEY.

Dec. 18, 1934. G. a; FINCH RIE EFINING APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBONS Filed April 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR.

GaZen B. Finch ABYWgI A TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 18, 1934 PATENT OLFFICE' REFINING APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBONS Galen B. Finch, Wichita, Kans.',- assignor of onethird to John W. Davisson, and one-third to Ralph D. Jons, both of Wichita, Kans.

' Application April 24, 1933, serial 'No. 667,594

, fl' a f My invention relates to a refining apparatus for. hydrocarbon. V

.The' object of my invention is to provide a re:-

fining apparatusfor hydro-carbon separating the same .into by-products by vaporizing the fluidunder-high temperature.

A further Object of my invention is top'rovide' a cleansing means thru the medium of steam injection into the hydro-carbon vapor as the latter flows into and thru a condenser.

"A still further object'of my invention'is to 'provide a jacketed-chamber-in vvhich'the refining process occurs, and means to inflate the jacket with steam'maintaining the desired temperature for the chamber. l p

A still further object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive and efficient means to separate the gas fumes from the lubricant and adequate means to convey each thereof to their respective storage.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an exhaust for the vapor, restricting the flow thereof by a spring tensioned apertured valve slidably engaging in the upper nipple of the hydro-carbon and steam pipe connections.

These and other objects will hereinafter be more fully explained, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this I specification, and in which like characters will apply to like parts in the different views.

Referring to the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus with a portion of certain pipes removed.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the jacketed chamber the jacket shown in section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the valve mechanism and pipes connected to the cylinder thereof, parts removed for convenience of illustration.

Fig. 5 is a face view of the ratchet mechanism restricting against the tension of the valve spring.

My invention herein disclosed consists of a furnace 1 having seated thereon a steam boiler 45 2 and a second still 3 in which the hydro-carbon oil is vaporized by heating the same.

Extending from the steam boiler is a pipe 4, and a similar pipe .5 extending from the hydrocarbon still. Pipe 4 has a lateral 6 running in parallelism therewith, each of said pipes have a valve 4, 5', and 6 respectively as controlling means for the flow therethru for the purpose later described.

Positioned in working relation to the said pipes is a chamber 7 having a jacket 8 as inclosing. 'meanstherefor, the jacket. subject to steam ,inflation introduced thrupipe 4 and en-- teringfthru' the wall thereof as shownin Fig. 3. =As a'means to conduct condensation, I have arranged a return pipe 9 to connectwiththe said steam boiler, the connection not being shown but may extend to either, end thereof entering the same." While I have shown the lower. end of the jacketed chamber belowthe water line of the boiler, thefzsame maybe elevatedto. avoid accumulation of water in the jacket 'if such is desired. 1 l

Within the said chamber '7' is positioned a valve consisting of a head 10, the peripheral edge thereof extending outward therefrom to form a flange A. Concentric to the head is attached a cylindrical portion 11 having a plurality of apertures 11' spaced apart longitudinally and therearound; the longitudinal apertures vary in size, the larger being near the bottom of the cylinder, the said cylindrical portion is adapted to slidably ,engage in the upper end of a nipple 12 that threadedly engages in a T pipe fitting 13, to which pipe 6 is connected.

On the upper end of the said nipple is positioned a flanged collar 14 on which the flange A of the valve seats when thesame is closed. A second pipe fitting 15 is "connected to the lower side of the fitting 13 by a nipple 16 threadedly engaging with each, and to pipe fitting 15 is connected a pipe 5 as conducting means for the hydro-carbon vapor into the assembly just described.

In view of the fact that pressure exists in the assembly when the plant is in operation, I have arranged as a tension means for the valve against the pressure a spring 17 secured to the valve and extending downward, the lower end of which has a cable 18 attached and adapted to wind on a stem 19 revolvably mounted in the fitting 15, the said stem extending outward thru the jacket and having on the outer end thereof a wheel 20 as turning means for the stem to wind the cable against the tension of the spring. To avoid unwinding, I have arranged a toothed wheel 21 secured to the stem and a pawl 22 rockably arranged to engage with the teeth, by which means the desired tension for the valve is maintained.

The foregoing description relates to the structure as an apparatus for cracking hydro-carbon, the process of which is practiced by virtue of the apparatus. I first charge the boiler 3 with hydrocarbon heating the same by the furnace provided causing the vapor to rise passing 01f thru pipe 5 and entering at vertically disposed assembly of fittings nipples having on the upper end thereof a moveable valve vertically by the pressure from the said boiler, by which means the fumes eject thru the apertured cylindrical portion of the valve passing into a chamber '7, the gas vapor passing upward and outward, thru a pipe 23 and from thence thru a cooling coil 24 that ifslsubmerg'ed in the water of a tank 25 converting the vapor to fluid as gasoline and from thence conveyed to a place of storage. The heavier portion of the vapor within the chamber moves downward and condenses into lubricating oil passing thru a' pipe 26 to a storage tank, the tanks referred to not shown in drawings.

It will be understood that a verylow pressure is maintained in the said boiler 3 and should the same be increased the valve is free to move upward for a greater efiiciency for discharge thru succeeding apertures merging from the cylinder.

-As anie'ans to cleanse the'ape'rt'ures of the valve should the same become g'umicned or choked by the residue :from the hydr'o carbon, I have arranged another boiler 2-and a furnace heating means therefor as va supply for steam pressure which is connected thru the medium of pipe 4 having a lateral 6 connecting with the said assembly between the valve and thevapor can'- veying" pipe 5, said lateralhaving' a valve 6" as previously described, by which means steam may be exhausted thru the apertures of the valve removing any osbtruction from the aperturesand passing outward thru the. said pipe 23 and on thru the condensing coil 24 to'a disposal means not shown. When said valve and pipes referred to are thoroughly cleansed the steam is cut off thru the valve 6 above referred to.

To maintain a high temperature in the chamber the said pipe 4 supplies live steam within the jacket and controlled by its valve 4, the latter heretofore has. been fully explained Such modifications may e employedwith respect to position and form of various parts described as lie within the scope of the appended claim, and having fully described my invention, what; claim" as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

In. a refining apparatus for hydro-carbon, in combination with a steam boiler and a still, a chamber within a'jacket, a pair of fittings connected and positioned in the chamber, an apertured' cylindrical valve and a nipple in which the valve slidably engages, the nipple connected to one of the fittings, the valve having a flange to restrict inwardlmovementi thereof, a" stern trunnioned in the other fitting, a springsecured' to the valve and means connecting the spring: to the stem to restrict outward movement of the valve} the last said fitting having a pipe connecting with the still, the said jacket having a pipe connection with the boiler and a lateral from the pipe connecting with the first said fitting,the lateral and. other pipes having valves to control the flow therein, a vapor discharge pipe connected to: the

upper end of the chamber and a lubricant drain pipe connected to the lowerend' of the said chamber, all substantially as shown. 7 r y ALEN B. FINCH. 

